SELFISH motorists are to blame for problems with Otley's Cambridge estate, it has been claimed.

Otley's deputy mayor, Councillor Neville Birch, says motorists must cut their speed and residents need to be persuaded to use their driveways rather than park in the roads.

He said cars parked on both sides of Cambridge Street meant cars, and even buses, having to reverse back out onto the busy Leeds Road.

And he believed it was time to impose a 20 mph speed limit across the estate, including St Clair Road, Lisker Drive and Albion Street, and consider a residents only parking scheme.

"I've been on a bus several times when its turned into Cambridge Street and then had to reverse back out onto Leeds Road to let a long line of cars out. Because cars park on the both sides of Cambridge Street, there's now a tube affect with only one car able to pass at a time."

Coun Birch, who lives on the estate, said there were also problems with people who chose to park in the road rather than use their own driveways.

"For some reason, some people don't like buses going past their houses. I was on a bus once when it couldn't get through because two cars had parked directly opposite each other. A passenger got off and knocked at the door, but the owner wouldn't come out.

"We were all on the bus for about 20 minutes and the driver had to call the police to get the car moved."

He added some parents of children at All Saints Primary School, Lisker Drive, also drove faster than they should.

"Residents are telling me that some parents when they're late for school speed along St Clair Road and Lisker Drive.

"I've no problem with the school, it is absolutely fine. But some parents bringing their children to school leave it to the last minute and are rushing. Children are all over the place and could easily be knocked down."

Coun Birch, a member of the Otley and District Road Safety Committee, has called for the speed limit to be reduced to 20 mph.

"I've spoken to Leeds City Council's highways department about this and they've promised to have a look at it.

"What really worries me is emergency services won't be able to get through. People need to be sensible and we should be able to sort this all out."

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: "A highways officer will be visiting the area to investigate Coun Birch's concerns and assess the situation. Any proposals formed as a result of the investigation will be subject to local consultation."